Do you know what skin conditions are and do you know how to recognize differences in your skin conditions?
We assume that you all know how to list the basic skin types, but when it comes to recognizing the condition of the skin, there are small problems? Every day we encounter cases in which the terms "skin type" and "skin condition" are the same for people, whether in everyday conversations, shopping or online. We know that it is very difficult to choose the right skin care products if you are not familiar with your face, so we decided to do our best to pass on our knowledge of different skin conditions, which can be characteristic of your skin, to help you understand the types and conditions skin to be "at home" and to help you navigate the sea of products in the cosmetics market.
Often the notions of skin types and conditions are what confuse people as skin conditions change depending on the season, stress and diet, and not only monthly but can also change daily. That is why it is extremely important that you watch, feel and observe all the changes on your skin and adjust your skin care according to its requirements. However, it is important to be aware that once you choose the right products for your skin type, you may also have some temporary skin condition or problem that you need to address, which means you will need to supplement your skin care routine with products for specific skin conditions.
A prerequisite for choosing the right cosmetics is to recognize what your skin type is, which is sometimes quite a difficult task, and we have already concluded that it is known that many do not know how to recognize your skin type and condition. Once you know what kind of skin you have, you will easily choose the right serum, cream, cleansing gel, tonic and finally a powder that also requires knowledge of your skin type.
In order to start with (hopefully) the already mastered material, we will start with a short repetition of facial skin types. The basic skin types are normal, dry, oily and combination skin and they are genetically determined or hereditary, and are the result of long-term factors, primarily determined by the skin's ability to produce more or less sebum, i.e. fatty substances secreted by our sebaceous glands.
Normal skin is skin that is not too oily, too dry or sensitive, but is fresh and smooth, skin of fine texture and uniform color. Dry skin can be recognized by facial skin tightening and a tendency to peel, redness, cracked skin or itching. She is overly sensitive and can be rough to the touch and look tired. Oily skin, apparently by its name, has characteristics such as excessive sebum production, too shiny skin, enlarged pores, skin prone to blackheads, acne and acne. Mixed skin is most often a combination of two types, oily (mostly on the T-zone along the forehead, nose and chin) and normal to dry on the cheeks.
But these types are not completely "fixed" because the skin, like the whole organism, is constantly changing depending on age, lifestyle and environment, so various conditions can occur. Precisely because of this, when people get to know their skin, there are various doubts, so it is necessary to distinguish types from skin conditions. So, in addition to skin types, there are also skin conditions. The skin condition can be instantaneous or permanent and it is very important to recognize along with the type and condition of your skin. Skin types are genetically defined and represent a permanent skin condition, while on the other hand, the skin condition is influenced by external factors, the degree of skin moisture or aging. It is important that you do not confuse skin conditions with your skin type! Your skin condition will determine which moisturizer, intensive treatment or face mask you need to use to get rid of that skin condition faster and more effectively. In order to explain this dilemma of mixing skin types and conditions in more detail, we will use a very simple example of a situation in which, we believe, we all find ourselves. In winter when dry air and low temperatures damage the skin, most people think their skin is dry. While on the other hand, in the summer when sebum production increases, many automatically think they have oily skin. These misconceptions can be completely wrong because it does not have to be dry skin if your skin tightens or oily skin if your nose shines.
Now that we have repeated what skin types exist, we can continue to deepen our knowledge and throw ourselves into the topic of skin condition! As we have already said, unlike skin types, the condition of the skin can be affected by the environment, the products you use, stress levels, diet, lifestyle... There are four skin conditions, or categories of "problems" that our skin may encounter and so our skin can be dehydrated, sensitive, prone to acne or mature. Below we will explain each of these conditions and recommend you adequate care for each condition.
DEHYDRATED SKIN
Dehydration is a lack of moisture in the skin which can be caused by the use of certain cosmetic products, insufficient fluid intake and prolonged exposure to the sun, wind or cold.
Dehydrated skin is not the same as dry skin! Very often, dehydrated skin is replaced with dry skin because the symptoms are similar, but the difference is that dehydrated skin has a lack of moisture, and dry skin has a lack of lipids (fat). Dryness is a type of skin that is genetically caused by a lack of fat, i.e. lipids that are needed to retain moisture and protect from external influences, which is why dry skin not only needs hydration, but also needs nourishing products that contain lipids such as ceramides. Dry skin always stays dry, and its dryness is the result of poorer sebum secretion.
On the other hand, dehydrated skin is a condition of lack of moisture that does not necessarily apply to dry skin, but can affect any skin type, and is also a condition that most commonly occurs in all skin types. Although this seems paradoxical, in people whose skin is oily, the skin is often dehydrated. This happens because people, led by delusion, over-degrease with preparations for mattifying the complexion and narrowing the pores. As a result, the skin on the surface becomes too dry and tries to return to balance by producing sebum, which makes it even more oily. In order to break this vicious cycle of drying and oiling, hydration should be carefully adjusted by using preparations with light textures so as not to "suffocate" the already overloaded skin. In short, oily skin needs tenderness, not "scrubbing", while dehydrated oily skin must avoid mechanical drying and supply itself with moisture to balance the hydrolipid barrier.
Dehydrated skin is characterized by lack of moisture and dehydration. It is a lack of water, not oil, which is why dehydrated skin can often show signs of irritation, inflammation, itching, tenderness and tightness. Fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes are often very visible and incorrectly categorized as smile wrinkles, and are actually caused by dehydration. In more severe forms of dehydrated skin, increased peeling and dandruff may also occur. The skin can be dried by improper cleansing, washing with gels with drying ingredients and hard water full of limescale, but also by excessive exfoliation, which removes the surface protective layer of the skin. In addition, dehydration is common in more mature skin, as the skin loses its ability to retain moisture over the years and often looks unnaturally taut and accompanied by dehydration lines.
DEHYDRATED SKIN CARE
We can supply the skin with the necessary level of moisture using humectants, i.e. substances that bind moisture to themselves. Humectants are ingredients in hydration products that attract and bind water to skin cells, thus maintaining moisture and preventing moisture loss. "Moisturizers" such as hyaluronic acid, glycerol, panthenol, alpha-hydroxy acid can help us with this... Hyaluronic acid is an ideal moisturizer for all skin types because only one gram of this ingredient can absorb up to six liters of water! In addition to humectants, for dehydrated skin, the use of gentle exfoliants based on AHA acids is recommended to help remove dead skin cells, making it smoother and more ready to absorb humectants.
SENSITIVE SKIN
SENSITIVE SKIN CARE
ACNE TREATED SKIN
Acne prone skin is a very common skin condition that usually begins during puberty when we are going through major hormonal changes. Hormonal substances, or androgens, stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum than needed (seborrhea). The condition of seborrhea can also act in contrast to normal skin peeling.
But what are the causes of acne? Although they most commonly occur in teenagers, an increasing number of adults whose skin is prone to acne, especially women undergoing hormonal changes (pregnancy, menstruation, polycystic ovaries). Acne-prone skin is generally quite oily due to excessive sebum secretion. This makes it more prone to overgrowth of otherwise harmless bacteria that inhabit the skin. They cause irritation and inflammation of the enlarged sebaceous glands. Some evidence suggests that genetic predisposition plays an important role in the development of acne. If both parents suffered from acne in adolescence, there is an increased chance that acne will occur in their children as well. Likewise, children of people who developed acne in adulthood are more likely to suffer from acne in adulthood. Although the main causes of acne-prone skin are hormonal or genetic in nature, some other factors have been shown to worsen symptoms. For example, a diet rich in certain carbohydrates, excessive consumption of milk and other dairy products, cigarette smoking, heavy or comedogenic skin care products and makeup that closes pores. Thus, such changes in the skin usually occur in puberty and early adolescence, but are not excluded even after thirty. In youth, it is most often a hormonal disorder, and in adulthood, over thirty, the cause is mostly stress, poor diet, and often the use of certain medications.
ACNE TREATED SKIN CARE
Because of all of the above, acne-prone skin requires very careful treatment. The best prevention and suppression of these problems is the continuous use of natural cosmetics based on carefully selected combinations of natural plant and vitamin ingredients, which the skin recognizes, absorbs and uses to eliminate inflammatory conditions, but also to continuously restore vital functions. For example, tea tree essential oil has a strong antiseptic effect, which has been medically proven in the very successful treatment of acne and purulent acne naturally, especially in combination with natural essential oils and extracts with a similar effect as marigold, which further hydrates the skin. Vitamin C is highly desirable in preparations for acne-prone skin, strengthens subcutaneous connective tissue, strengthens collagen and restores the epithelium, which also reduces pores and prevents the entry of pathogenic substances into the depths of the skin. In addition, it is a top antioxidant and remarkably cleanses the skin. It could take several weeks for the visible effects of a daily cleansing, toning and care routine, so be patient and persistent.
MATURE SKIN
Aging is the fourth and inevitable condition of the skin. It is a natural process that inevitably and regardless of skin type, brings changes to the structure, moisture, density and elasticity of the skin. As the skin ages, it has more and more wrinkles, it can develop hyperpigmentation spots, so there is an unevenness in the texture and color of the complexion, it loses volume and shine. Therefore, in adulthood it is extremely important to monitor the appearance of signs of aging and slow down the aging process of the skin with well-chosen ingredients and products and allow the skin to retain moisture, elastin and collagen. Mature skin is a category in itself because with women, the production of collagen, elastin and other substances that maintain firmness decreases with age, so such skin needs a special approach in care. The first signs of aging begin in the 20s, while from the age of 35 the skin gets the "label" of mature. It is completely individual when you notice the signs of adulthood in the mirror, and it depends on your genes and, even more, on your lifestyle. Upon reaching mature age, the skin's metabolism changes so much that it can no longer be classified into the usual types, but requires specially tailored care that includes enhanced hydration and greater replenishment of building and nutrients. The activity of the sebaceous glands also decreases, so the skin generally becomes more dry, wrinkles appear, and pigmentation changes often occur. But with proper care rituals and following our mature skin care tips, it is possible to bring back the hands of the watch and put a smile on your face!
MATURE SKIN CARE
For most women in their 40s and 50s, the skin becomes dry, so replace the cleansers you’ve used so far and use products with gentler formulas that don’t remove the skin’s natural lipid layer. Let your choice be a creamy or oily cleanser, with rich and moisturizing ingredients. Use exfoliants occasionally, preferably in the evening, and reduce the use of mechanical peels, especially if your skin has become more sensitive. If you haven’t already, start using a rejuvenating serum that contains amino acids, green tea extract or vitamin C as these concentrated formulas have a strong effect on wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, lack of elasticity and other signs of age. To soothe lines and wrinkles, the best choice is a cream or serum with retinol (a derivative of vitamin A). Retinoids increase cellular activity in the dermis by alleviating the lack of skin elasticity, which is why they "iron" wrinkles and rejuvenate the appearance of the skin. But the most important part of the nourishing regimen of mature skin is still hydration. Moisturizers supplement lipids (natural oils) from the surface of the skin that decrease in mature years due to estrogen loss. Choose those daily moisturizers that contain vitamins (e.g. vitamin C and E) as well as other antioxidants like green tea. If you want to prevent photoaging (wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and other skin damage), use a cream with a broad-spectrum protection factor every day, even during the winter.
You are now armed with knowledge of what skin types and conditions are, you know what different conditions to look out for, and I believe you can choose the right products for you and your skin on your own. The only thing left is to wish you a pleasant enjoyment of your skin care! :)
